Box-opener.



1 No. 846,438. PA'TENTBD MAR. 5, 1907.

J. MARSHALL. BOX OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 1906.

mam WM JOHN MARSHALL, OF NEW YORK,

PATENT OFFICE.

N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN LANGAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

BOX-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907. I

Application filed January 11, 1906. Serial No. 296,681.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN MARSHALL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Box-Opener, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a sidewise elevation of the device. Fig. 2 illustrates an edgewise elevation of the same. Fig. 3 illustrates an elevation as seen from below.

My device is characterized by its great simplicity, strength, and durability, its low cost and adaptability to the opening of boxes, barrels, cases, or packages, whether banded or hooped with metal or otherwise, or not;

. and it embodies advantageous features,

which, so far as I am aware, have never been realized in such a utensil before.

Its construction is as follows:

A represents the handle, which is preferably made of wood and preferably from eight to twelve or fourteen inches in length.

B is a stiff metallic plate, preferably of steel, firmly set into the handle.

O is a strong ferrule to strengthen the handie and prevent its splitting under the somewhat severe lateral strains to which it is subj ected.

The plate B is provided with a claw D, which somewhat resembles that of an ordinary hammer, but is materially difierent in respect that the points are made relatively thin and sharp, thus being adapted to readily penetrate the wood.

E is an opening in the claw, through which the shank of the nail to be removed enters.

F is a laterally-extending wed ge-like blade.

I prefer that this part F, the same as the claw D, shall be made integral with the plate B, each forming approximately one-half the plate B, but fashioned and arranged as shown. The part F tapers from its point of junction with the plate B to its outer edge to facilitate its'operation, as will be explained.

rocking of the handle with one hand and a steady pressure of the other over the claw end will cause the sharp ends of the claw to work into the wood until they sink under the edges of the nail-head, when by lifting the handle with one hand and maintaining a slight pressure over the claw with the other the points of the claw are held in place, and the wood becomes a fulcrum for the outer curve of the claw and the handle as a lever. As soon as the nail has been started a sharp vertical jerking movement upon the tool will result in quickly throwing the nail upwardly and outwardly. If its hold upon the wood he too strong, then after this actiona continued tilting of the instrument will result in the withdrawal of the nail, because as soon as the instrument has been tilted to any considerable degree the fulcrum-point is transferred from the rear rounded edge of the claw to the outer edge or side of the part F farthest from the claw D. Consequently there will then be exerted on the nail. a marked and practically straight-line outward movement, which will effect its complete removal.

If the boX or case be banded with wire, metal, or wooden hoops, then the thin edge neath the hoop adjacent to the nails, and pressure of the hands, or at the utmost a slight blow with the ball of the hand, will cause it to pass beneath the hoop, whereupon the instrument may be tipped over backwardly or, as I prefer, sidewise, because then the strain comes upon the plate B edgewise instead of flatwise. The result of this operation is to lift and remove the hoop. In a-similar manner the wedge-like projection may by mere pressure of the hand or a slight blow, if need be, be inserted between the ends of the boards and the sides of the case, whereupon a tilting action of the instrument, similar to that above described, will result in forcing the ends of the board away from the side of the case.

In addition to the advantages heretofore stated as embodied in my utensil is the fact that it is noiseless in its operation and that provision to meet any requirement is selfcontained within it, that all its parts are rigparts-as illustrated are immaterial, and likeidly connected together, so that no wear or with this art that the size and shape of the of the wedge-like projection F is inserted be- IIO wise instead of there beingaseparatewooden projection being turned up fiatwise at subhandle, which, however, I prefer, the handle stantially right angles to the plane of the may be made integral therewith.

I claim A tool for the purpose stated embodying a flat plate provided with a handle, the end of the plate opposite the handle being split and formed approximately half-and-half into a claw and a wedge-shaped projection respectively, the claw being curved and projected edgewise from the plate and the wedge-like plate and in rear of and at right angles to the plane of the claw. 1

In testimony whereof I have signed m name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN h/IARSHALL. Witnesses:

F. M. DoUsBAoH, WALTER H. CRITTENDEN. 

